False-foxgloves, Hedge-hyssops, Toadflaxes and Allies
What are they?
This variable bunch were once mostly considered to be members of the Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) family, but recent studies have revealed that they are best split into a number of separate familes. They are now divided up into the Plantain Family (Plantaginaceae), Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae), False-pimpernel Family (Linderniaceae) and the Broomrape Family (Orobanchaceae). The number of petals varies from four to five and they are often fused together to form a tube-shaped flower.
Where are they found?
With so much variety it is perhaps not surprising that there seems to be a species for every occasion here! Species may be found in most habitats, from coastal dunes to fields, roadsides, waste places and marshes.
Identification
Many species are readily recognizable but some groups are more tricky. The False-foxgloves in particular can be hard to tell apart and notes should be taken on all aspects of the plant, especially the leaves and the sepal arrangement.
Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus
(Common Mullein, Aaron's Rod) Introduced from Europe. A common plant of waste places, roadsides and old fields. Flowers June to September. The thick, densely downy leaves of this species are easily recognised. Most plants are biennial, germinating and forming a leaf rosette in the first year, then flowering in the second year and dieing after setting seed.
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Moth Mullein Verbascum blattaria
Introduced from Europe. Scattered here and there in waste places, old gardens and other grassy locations. Flowers May to September. Flowers usually yellow in its native Europe but sometimes white, the latter being the commonest form found in Cape May. Both forms have a purple center to the flower. Whole upper part of plant covered in sticky hairs.
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Canadian Toadflax Nuttallanthus canadensis
(Blue Toadflax) Widespread and common, usually in very dry, sandy soil in old fields, roadsides and coastal dunes. Flowers April to May. Single plants are small and easily missed, but often occurs in colonies on open ground. Flowering stems arise from a basal rosette of small leaves. Occasionally found with white flowers.
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Small Toadflax Chaenorhinum minus
(Small Snapdragon) Introduced from Europe. Uncommon but should be looked for in dry, disturbed areas such as sandy fields edges and old railroad beds. Flowers June to September. A small plant with tiny flowers which is easily missed, but distinctive once seen.
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Common Toadflax Linaria vulgaris
(Butter-and-eggs) Introduced from Europe and generally a common and widespread species in North America, but appears to be scarce in Cape May County. May be found in any grassy or disturbed areas such as old fields, roadsides and marginal land. Flowers July to October.
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Balkan Toadflax Linaria dalmatica
Though there are published records of this European species for New Jersey, there appear to be none for Cape May County, so the plant found at Cox Hall Creek WMA in 2010 represents the first record for the area. This is a tall toadflax with large yellow flowers that may appear anywhere as a garden throw-out. Flowers July to September.
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Moroccan Toadflax Linaria maroccana
Introduced, native of the Mediterranean region. First found in the area in 2014 as a roadside weed, but it may become more frequent as it is often included in so-called 'wildflower' mixes which contain many non-native species. Flowers July to September. A small toadflax with showy flowers but thin, wiry stems and narrow leaves.
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White Turtlehead Chelone glabra
An uncommon plant of swampy woodland and stream sides. Flowers August to September. Small tight clusters of white flowers above deep green leaves with glaucous stems make this a distinctive species.
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Foxglove Beardtongue Penstemon digitalis
Formerly recorded in Cape May County as a garden escape, but there are no recent records in the area. Flowers June. This species is native furhter north in New Jersey but not in the Cape May area. Though there are no recent reports of the species, it may still occasionally appear as a short-lived introduction or escape from horticulture.
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clasp the stem |
Round-fruited Hedge-hyssop Gratiola virginiana
A rare plant of wet, muddy ground in seasonally wet ponds and hollows. Flowers May to July.
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Clammy Hedge-hyssop Gratiola neglecta
Occasional in wet, muddy ground of seasonally wet ponds and hollows. Flowers May to September. Stems covered in short, slightly sticky hairs.
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Golden Hedge-hyssop Gratiola aurea
Widespread in open, wet areas. Flowers June to September. Flowers larger and more showy than other hedge-hyssops.
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Hairy Hedge-hyssop Sophronanthe pilosa
Usually found in low, wet areas by shady ponds and the edges of swampy ground. Flowers July to September. Stems have rough hairs on them.
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Long-stalked False-pimpernel Lindernia dubia
Frequent in all kinds of wet ground in woodland, along streams and at the edge of marshes and swamps. Flowers July to October. Differs from hedge-hyssops in having flowers on long stalks.
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Japanese Mazus Mazus pumilus
Introduced from Asia. A plant that has fairly recently become popular for summer color in gardens and which is now beginning to turn up as an escape from cultivation in urban and suburban environments. Flowers April to October.
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American Lopseed Phryma leptostachya
A scarce plant of bayshore woodlands. Flowers July to August. The square stem and broad leaves of this species suggest a member of the mint family, but the narrow, pale pink flowers, arranged in opposite pairs on a slender spike are distinctive. The paired seed capsules bend downward after flower and give the plant its English name.
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Purple False-foxglove Agalinis purpurea
Frequent in swampy ground in meadows, marshes and the edges of ponds. Flowers August to October.
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Saltmarsh False-foxglove Agalinis maritima
A plant of the upper edge of saltmarsh habitats. Flowers August to October.
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Pine-barren False-foxglove Agalinis virgata
A scarce species of dry woodland in the northern part of the county. Flowers August to October. In this species, note the relatively long sepal lobes (which can be seen around the seed capsule below).
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Fern-leaved False-foxglove Aureolaria pedicularia
An uncommon plant of open woodland on dry soils, where plants grow as partial parasites on the roots of oak trees. Flowers late August to September.
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Downy False-foxglove Aureolaria virginica
An uncommon plant of open woodland on dry soils, where plants grow as partial parasites on the roots of oak trees. Flowers July to August.
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Narrow-leaved Cow-wheat Melampyrum lineare
Not uncommon in woodland with a good shrub layer, typically under pine trees, particularly in the north of the county. Flowers May to August. The cow-wheats are hemiparasites, obtaining some of their nutrients by means of roots which attach themselves to the roots of nearby woody plants.
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